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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
head_n	beast_n	dragon_n	horn_n	3,264	5	10.5839	5	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
B09926	An epistle written (dated the 30th of the 11th month 1659,) and sent from London into the countrey. By a friend to the glorious (though at this day despised) cause of Christ, in answer to a letter sent up to him (dated the 16th of the same month) wherein the following things are treated of, (viz.) 1. The fifth kingdom it self, which the God of Heaven sets up in the latter dayes. 2. The kingdom of the beast which is to be destroyed. 3. The instruments that are to be used in destroying the one and erecting the other; with the way or manner how they are to be used. 4. The time of the beginning of this work. [bracket] First, before Christs personal comming. Secondly, before the call of the Jewes. Thirdly, that it is already begun, and hath taken place in this nation and that Cromwel with the army, hath apostatized from it, and that all the powers, or governments that have been set up since that time, have been, and still are upon the foundation of the apostacy. As also, severall of the particular evills which the army, and others abetting the apostacy are guilty of. Together with, some considerations tendered to the favourers of Christ's righteous cause, wherein is laid down, their duty of separation from Babylon, and from all the parts and branches (both in church and state) of the forementioned apostacy.	N. S.	1660 (1660)	Wing S119B; ESTC R183121	59,145	52

a great Mountain and filled the whole Earth so Dan. 7.17 18. The four Beasts are four Kings which are the four great Monarchies but the Saints shall take the Kingdom See verse 26. they shall take away his Dominion in verse 27. The Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the Saints c. Now the fourth Kingdom being visible this fifth Kingdom that fills up the room of the fourth must needs be visible also Fourthly The Throne of this Kingdom is the Throne of David Luke 1.32 which is an outward visible Throne and in Rev. 3.21 there are two Thrones mentioned one is called the Fathers Throne being rhe Throne where Christ now is the other Christ calls his own Throne which is the Throne of his Father David wherefore the Throne being visible the Kingdom must likewise be visible Fifthly The Lawes Government and Governours under Christ are outward and visible and take place upon the Bodies Lives Liberties and Estates of men Ezra 7.26 the Scriptures which are outward and visible are the Lawes which God the only Law-giver Isa 33.22 James 4.12 hath left Exod. 18.16 Neh. 9.13 Esther 3.8 Psal 119.9 Deut. 4.5 6 7 8. 2. Tim. 3.16 17. Deut. 17.18.19.20 2 Kings 11.12 The visible Saints are to be the visible Governours under Christ the King Psa 45.16 1 Cor. 6.2 Isa 14.2 Chap. 32. 1. Psa 49.14 Dan. 7.18.22.27 2 Tim. 2.12 Rev. 2.26.27 Chap. 3.21 Chap. 5.10 Chap. 20.4.6 Jer. 30.21 These things being visible the Kingdom must needs be visible also and thus much to the first particular of the fifth Kingdom it self The Second thing which I propounded to speak to is the Kingdom of the Beast and in the entering upon that Consider in the first place the Image spoken of in Dan. 2.31 32. which Image doth comprehend and hold forth the four great Monarchies which were to take place and have their time in the world and they are described in Dan. 7.3 by four great Beasts and the three last of these four Monarchies are described in Dan. 8. the first by a Ram the Second by a Hee-Goate the last which is the fourth Monarchy by a little Horn which are also spoken of Dan. 11. The first of these four Monarchies was that of the Chaldees Dan. 2.38 He was that Head of Gold and had his beginning as a part of the Image about the year 3362 from the Creation and continued till about the year 3422 in all about 60 years The second Monarchy was that of the Medes and Persians which Dan. 2.32 is the Breast and Arms of Silver and took place of the Chaldees Dan. 5.30 31. and continued till about the year 3620 in all about 198 years The third Monarchy was that of the Graecians which Dan. 2.32 is set forth by the Belly and Thighs of Brasse and in Dan 8 21. by the rough Goate which is there called the King of Graecia and succeeds the Medes and Persians which is set forth by the Ram with two Horns verse 20. This Monarchy of the Graecians continued till about the year 3902 in all about 282 years The fourth Monarchy was that of the Romans which in Dan. 2.33 is set forth by the Leggs of Iron and Feet part of Iron and part of Clay and by the little Horn in Dan. 8.9.11.12 which takes away the daily sacrifice and casts down the truth And by the vild person in Dan. 11.21 which in verse 31. takes away the daily sacrifice and sets up the abomination that maketh desolate This Monarchy took place as part of the Image in Dan. 2. about forty two years before the Birth of Christ and was divided into two parts which I understand to be held forth by the two Leggs of the Image and continued in its Pagan or Heathenish State till about 360 years after Christ before it was interrupted by and mixed with the Man of Sin or Antichristian State To the first three Monarchies and the first part of the fourth I shall say little but specially insist upon the Latter part of the fourth or Roman Monarchy it being the last part of the Image and the onely part which doth at this day remain in the world First it is evident that the Roman Monarchy is of two sorts the first is held forth by the Leggs of Iron The second by the feet and toes of Iron and clay Daniel 2.33 and in Daniel 7. The first part of it is held forth by the fourth Beast with the ten Horns and the other by the little Horn In Revel 12 3. The first part of the Monarchy is held forth by the Red Dragon with seven heads and ten Horns and seven Crownes upon his heads The second part in Revel 13.1 is held forth by a Beast that riseth out of the Sea with seven Heads and ten Horns and upon his Horns ten Crownes and as in verse the fifth is to continue forty and two Moneths By the ten Horns I understand the ten Kings or Kingdoms in Europe which had their dependance upon the Roman Empire and are called in Dan. 7.24 Ten Kings and so in Rev. 17.12 And by the seven Heads I understand the seven Provinces that had their dependance upon the Roman Empire and before the rise of the Antichristian state the Crowns or the Power and Glory of the Government were upon the seven Heads or Provinces And the Horns were as servants under the Emperour that had received no Kingdom till the Antichristian Beast came up Revel 17.12 but at his coming up they receive power as Kings one hour with him and then the Crowns are upon the Horns and answers to Revel 13.1 distinguished from Revel 12.3 The first part of this Romane state was a lawful Power and to be obeyed as an Ordinance of God and the Lord Christ Mat. 17.27 payes Tribute to them and Chap. 22.21 commands to render to Caesar the things that are Caesars c. And the Apostle saith Rom. 13.1 the Powers that are speaking of them that were then in being are ordained of God and giveth special charge to the Saints to obey them Titus 3.1 And the Spirit of the Lord in the Apostles foreseeing that the Man of sin would get up to the Throne by speaking evil of Dignities and despising Dominion as Pet. 2.10 Compare Jude 8. Rebelling against yea casting down the Civil Powers that so himself might obtain the Throne to Reign both over Church and State which he did at length accomplish the Spirit I say foreseeing this doth forewarn the Saints and charge them to be obedient to Magistrates with many cautions and Exhortations which stand in force to all true Magistrates to the end of the world The second part of this Roman State is from Sathan and riseth out of of the Bottomlesse Pit as Rev. 13.2 Chap. 17.8 and is Antichristian and therefore it is a great sin to own it as the Ordinance of God it being wicked and sinful not onely in its Reign or exercise of Power but in its

and the Inhabitants of Jerusalem went off and that the Ten Tribes might not magnify themselves against the Two Tribes who Hosea 11.12 Ruled with God and was faithful with the Saints long after the revolt of the Ten the Lord will in the Latter day save the two Tribes first which is all that can be gathered in this matter from this Scripture and it will not prove that the Kingdom shall first take place or begin amongst the naturall Seed of Abraham but I shall add no more to this but come to speak to the third particular relating to the Time of this Work taking place and to that I shall lay down this Position Position That the Work of destroying the Fourth and setting up the Fifth Kingdom is begun and hath taken place amongst us in this Isle of great Brittain And in entering upon the proof of this I shall for the making way present some particular Considerations As first That the Beast with the Seven Heads and Ten Hornes mentioned Rev. 17. and also the Whore mentioned in the same Chapter have their Rise Seat Dominion and Reign in this part of the World called Europe where the Roman or Fourth Kingdom had its place before at and since the coming of Christ in the flesh and though the Rise and Nature of the Power is changed from the meerly Civil to the grosse Antichristian or Mixed State yet those that will search the Histories may find that Antichrist hath taken and doth keep the same Territories that were belonging to the Civil State The Second Consideration is That this Nation or the Power of this Isle of Great Brittain hath been accounted and really is one of the Ten Hornes of the Beast or Toes of the Image and was joyned with the Antichristian Beast very soon receiving Power as a King one hour with him according to Rev. 17.12 and the Whore or false Church hath been long mounted upon the Civil or Beastly Power in this Nation It is now above one thousand years as history relates since Augustine the Monck was sent over by the Pope into this Nation where he found great incouragement from the Civil Powers which Satan had fitted for his own design of carrying the Whore Proud Augustine for so he is called doth forthwith settle the National Church and mounts it upon the Civil Power to bear up maintain it and many abominable wicked Lawes were made to Answer the Devils design in the upholding and maintaining this Whorish Nationall Church at the setting up whereof there are found some Faithful Christians in the Nation which so far as we may credit History were some remainders of the fruits of the Ministry of Joseph of Arimatheah who is said was the first Preacher of the joyful sound of the Gospel in this Island and these Christians not falling down to but witnessing against the Antichristian Abominations which were brought in from Rome and readily received in this Nation Augustine becomes their great enemy and being of that Popish stamp that Thirsts after and must be drunk with the blood of the Saints thirsts after the blood of those poor Christians who for their safety fled to the Mountains in Wales but Augustine tho ough the help of the Civil or Beastly Power as the beginning of the wickedness which God will reward obtains his end and drinks the Blood or takes away the lives of those Faithfull Martyrs of Jesus and so in shedding the blood of the Saints the Beast and the Whore were united together in this Nation and therefore no wonder if they cleave so close together as at this day till the vengeance be accomplished upon them This proud Augustine being Ordained and sent by the Pope whose power is derived from Hell Ordains and Settles Bishops and Archbishops who Ordaine the National Ministry and settle them in their respective Parishes and this by succession hath continued to this day and is the Ordination so much pleaded for in this Nation The Third Consideration is That the Toe or Horne or that part of the Beastly Power in Brittain which carrieth the Whore according to the National Constitution was made up with and did consist of King Lords and Commons The Fourth Consideration is That it is the proper Work of the Stone or Kingdom mentioned Dan. 2. to Smite and Break these Toes or Hornes and so by its Government to fill up the room thereof Having layd down these things I shall proceed to the proof of the Assertion to wit That the Work is begun First The VVork that is only proper for the Stone to do to wit the breaking of the Toes or Hornes hath taken place in this Nation The Horn or Toe of this Nation to wit King Lords and Commons is broken though not yet according to Dan. 2.35 made as the Chaffe of the Summer threshing Flower Not only the King but Kingship and Peeridge is broken and not only the Commons but the very Foundation of their Constitution from the Nation is broken and God hath for several years been witnessing against it I need not speak further to the proof of this if we forget not the things which our Eyes have seen Deut. 49. It is Matter of Mourning that this Generation like Israel of old either understood not or else have forgotten the workes of God and it is no wonder if God destroy them and not build them up Psal 28.5 Psal 106.7.13 Though the Stone must break the Horne or Toe it is not said that it should be done at one blow or two and therefore if God should suffer King Lords and Commons to rally again in this Nation it may not be said that the Work hath not been among us for seeing the Stone may not do it at one or two blows the Lord may gather and prepare them for the Second or rather the Third stroke till he make them as the Chaffe and they be carryed away with the wind The Work in this Nation did not end in smiting the Horn for the Kingdom and Goverment of Christ did take place in its roome When the remainder of the Long Parliament was by the answer of the Faith and Prayers of the Lords People with an eminent hand of God broken the undoubted right to the Throne being Christs who had obtained it by his Sword and Bow as the fulfilling of many promises Prophesies of Scripture the Saints whose Right under Christ it is upon the Account and on the behalf of Jesus Christ did not onely take but come into the possession of the Kingdom for by a speciall hand of God many of the Saints upon the breach of the Parliament before mentioned were sent for from several parts of this Island who found the Lord stirring up their hearts to come to Receive and Possesse the Government for Christ their King and accordingly when they were come together at Whitehall the Government was delivered to them and they or at least many of them received it upon the avowed account of the Son of God

very Rise and Foundation and to own it as Gods Ordinance would be to charge him as the Author of sin and to set up the Man of sin and Mystery of iniquity as Gods Ordinance and those that so do may be found equally guilty with those that at this day cry up the Ministry of Antichrist as the Ordinance and Ministry of Christ and all that will not allow them this and therein fall down to them are charged as being against Ministry but many will now grant that the Antichristian Ministry are sinful and Antichristian both in their Rise and Foundation and to own them as the Ministry of Christ would be a very great evil and why not the same in the Antichristian Magistracy The Assertion that I shall lay down in this particular about the Kingdom of the Beast is That there is an Antichristian Beast or a wicked Power that riseth out of the Bottomless pit and is permitted by the Lord to take place in the world in the latter part of the Image Government 1. This Beast is described Dan. 7.5 by a Little Horn and in verse the 11. it is called the Beast This Horn or Beast is the last part of the Image Government and that which is to be taken away and destroyed by the Saints after the judgement sits as in verse 26 and in verse 24. another shall arise after the ten Horns in the first or Pagan State withour the Crowns as Revel 12.3 And although there are but three of the Horns or Kings subdued or brought down by the force and Power of this Little Horn yet by the fair words flattery and great proffers made by him to the rest of them to wit that he would Crown and make them free states if they will stand by him they all at last fall in and receive Power as Kings one hour with him Revel 17.12 and so this Horn or last Beast comes to have the ten Horns upon him with the Crowns upon them 2. This last part of the Roman State mentioned Rev. 17.8 chap. 11.7 is described by a Beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit and is the same with the Little Horn before mentioned and is distinguished from the first part of the Roman State First in its Rise it comes from the Bottomless pit Secondly by his carrying the Whore or Antichristian Church Rev. 17.3.7 Thirdly by the time of his Reign which is forty and two Moneths and agrees with the time of the witnesses prophesying in sackcloth Revel 11.3 and with the time of the Woman or Churches being in the wilderness Rev. 12.6 Fourthly by the Crowns being upon his Horns which in the First State were upon the Heads compare Revel 13.1 with Rev. 12.3 Fifthly by his Horns making War with the Lamb and being overcome by him Revel 17.14 Lastly by his going into perdition Revel 17.14.8 That this Beast which Ascends from the bottomless pit is the same with the Little Horn in Dan. 7. consider First this Beast is the last part of the Image Government and so is the Horn Secondly this Beast sets himself against God in great words and blasphemy so doth the Horn Revel 13.6 Compare with Dan. 20.25 Thirdly this Beast hath Power to make War with the Saints and for a time to overcome them so hath the Horn Revel 13.7 Compare with Dan. 7.21.25 Fourthly this Beast and his Horns are overcome and have their Power taken away by the Lamb and they that are on his side which must be the Lamb by his Spirit in the Saints for it cannot be thought that if the ten Horns should be in being when Christ comes in person they should be able to begin or make War with him the Saints do also take away to destroy and consume the Power of the Little Horn Revel 17.14 Compare Dan. 7.26.3 Fifthly this Beast goeth into perditon or to Hell So the Horn is given to the burning flame Rev. 17.8 Compare with Dan. 7.11 Thirdly this Beast or Horn before mentioned is described in Dan. 2.41 by the Feet and Toes of the Image which appears to be the same with the Beast or Horn First as it is the last part of the Image Government Secondly the Toes agrees with the Horns of this Beast in Revel 17.12 Thirdly the Beast or Horn is destroyed by the Saints or by Christ in them The feet and toes of the Image are smitten and broken by the stone Dan. 2.34 which stone must either be the world or Christ in person or Christ by his Spirit in his Saints It cannot be meant of the world first because it is the Kingdom that in a peculiar manner is set up by the God of Heaven as in verse 44. Secondly because it breaks down the worldly Government and fills the whole Earth 3ly Because it is cut out without hands to wit without worldly Powers or the might of Man In the next place it cannot be Christ in Person First because Christ is not cut out of the mountain whether the mountain be understood of the Church or world for it must be one of them Secondly the Stone doth the work gradually but Christs coming will be on a suddain as the Lightning that will effect his work at once Thirdly Christ is no where called a Kingdom But this stone is so called vers 44. Fourthly this stone is not cut out or seen till the last part of the Image Government appears thou sawest till that a stone was cut out verse 34. But if Christ in Person were cut out of the mountain it must be long before the feet of the Image was in being now seeing this stone cannot be understood of the world or of Christ in Person it must needs be Christ by his Spirit in the Saints which Zech. 12.3 are called a Burthensome stone and so is the same with the Saints that destroy the Beast and the Little Horn. Fourthly This Horn Beast or feet of the Image is the same with that Man of sin Son of perdition Mystery of iniquity and that Wicked mentioned 2 Thes 2.3.7.8 First this man of sin agrees with Antichrist or the Beast in its rise the Beast riseth through the change of the Roman Empire from its Pagan State or rather through the ruine of it as Rev. 13.2 The Dragon gave him his Power c. By the Dragon I understand the Devil who Reigned by his Spirit in the wicked Pagan Emperours who though their Authority was an Ordinance of God as Rom. 13.1.2 yet they were swayed by the Devil to abuse their Power and turn it against the Lord and his faithful followers a Cloud of witnesses to this we have from the ten first Persecutions carryed on by the Pagan Emperours in which the Devil did appear like a Dragon but when Antichrist comes up the Devil or Dragon quits his hold of the Pagan State having a more subtile way to carry on his work under a pretence of Christianity by this last Beast he readily gives to this Beast his Power Seat

not from Heaven as doth the true Church but from Earth or Hell and in his first appearance his Horns or Power are like a Lamb verse 11. or like Christ for so this false Church would be accounted but his words are like the devil he spake as a Dragon verse 11 and this false Church joyning her self to and riding upon the Beast comes to sway or exercise the Civil Power and so is said vers 12. to exercise all the Power of the first Beast not that the first Beast is destroyed for this Whore causeth him to be worshipped and doth great things before him v. 12. 14. Since the false Church hath been mixed with and mounted upon the civil Power for her own ends she cryes up this wicked Beast as the Ordinance of God though in truth it comes from the Devil yea and she can bring Scripture though abused and wrested as the Devil did to Christ and cryes up obedience to it condemning all that will not fall down to the Beast as being those that disobey Magistrates despise Dominion and speak evil of dignities which Scriptures indeed were spoken of and much fulfilled by this false Church till this Beast on which she rides came up Fourthly The mixture of this Antichristian State may further appear by the Beast and the VVhore mentioned Rev. 17. The Beast that was and is not and yet is verse 8. holds forth the Civil Power in its two fold State First In its Pagan State before the visible rise of Antichrist Secondly In its Antichristian State when it carries the VVhore The Beast that was which word was respects him in the glory of the Pagan State in which he was a Beast and like a Beast rather then like a Man he carried it in the ten first Persecutions and this word Is not respects him in his Antichristian State as carrying the VVhore which was not in being in Johns daies who was the Penman of this word And this word and yet is respects the Pagan State which was in being in Johns day And this word shall ascend out of the bottomless pit respects his Antichristian State which comes from Hell and in this State I understand he is called the eighth Head ver 11 The other Seven Heads being brought down for and their Power divolved upon this Beast he is called the eighth and yet is said to be of the Seventh and the ten Horns ver 12. receive Power as Kings one hour with him being all thereby fitted for and engaged to Mount the VVhore The VVhore ver 1. holds forth the false Church that would be counted the spouse of Christ but commits whoredom with Idolls and fornication with the Kings of the earth and is not built upon Christ as the foundation But verse 15. sitteth upon peoples and multitudes and Nations and Tongues that being the strength of the false Church who by her sorceries and VVhoredoms as the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the earth obtains the Power and Reigneth over the Kings of the earth ver 18. Fithly This mixt State of the Antichrist in the Civil and Ecclesiastical Power is further held forth by the Beast and false Prophet Rev. 19.20 21. which place speaks of them in the last and finall stroke that comes upon them for though the fifth Viall Rev. 16.10 is poured out upon the Seat of the Beast and the Judgment and fall of the Whore is set forth in Chap. ●8 and begining of the 19th yet some Reliques of both the Beast and Whore remaining till very near or unto the personal Coming of Christ the Devil having but a short time to reign gathers up all his forces and engageth the Kings of the Earth to come up with him against Christ and his Saints and then the last Viall comes upon them at Christs personal appearing and compleats their ruin and so both these parts of Antichrist by this stroke are destroyed together compare Rev. 19.20 21. with Chap. 16. Ver. 13 14 16 17. Having spoken of this Beast and false Prophet held forth by the two Beasts in Chap. 13. I shall speak no more of them in this place Lastly If we consult the Histories and also what we have seen of the Antichrian State in our day it hath been made up of these two parts viz. Civil and Ecclesiastical which like Twins have gone together in all their wickedness one crying up the other and calling for obedience The false Church and her Ministery being propped up by the false Magistracy calls for and preaches up obedience to it as Gods ordinance and they must be killed that will not worship the Beast Rev. 13.15 The false Magistracy doth the like for the false Church and her Ministery crying them up as the true Church and Ministry of Christ and all that will not fall down to this VVhore in paying of Tythes Church-Rates following her Assemblies and such like abominations must be imprisoned banished or killed and thus the Beast bears yea is said to carry the VVhore Rev. 17.7 and is the Whores drudge or slave to do her wicked service these two have been in conjunction in and are guilty of the blood of the Saints and the several persecutions since Antichrist came to the Throne have been on this wise carryed on the Ecclesiastical Power have adjudged and condemned and so delivered over to the Civil Power who have executed and killed them with much rage and greediness and after a most cruel manner and although the Civil Power would at this day when the Lord is comming to make inquisition for blood slip out their Necks and excuse themselves as if they were free and had done no wrong to nor shed the blood of the Saints and may have many Advocates pleading at a high rate on their behalf and saying that Judgment shall not fall upon them and further to evince this do give them the title of Christian Magistrates and that many of them are good men yet all this will not excuse them from the stroke when the Lord according to Rev. 16.5 6. comes to avenge the blood of his Saints and Prophets and Psal 9.16 shall be known by the judgment which he executeth for no doubt the guilt of much blood will be found in the skirts of the Civil Power and their sin will find them out and though good men be in the place of Power it will not save from the Judgement for Gods controversie is not so much with the Persons as with the Beastly Powers and the title of Christian Magistrates will not excuse but rather condemne them as the Antichristian Power and the Fountaines and Rivers of waters upon which the third Viall comes Rev. 16.4 doth not exclude but include this Civil Power Having thus laid down my understanding of the fifth Kingdom or Kingdom of Christ which should be erected or set up in the latter day of the Kingdom of the Beast which is to be destroyed I shall now come to speak to the third thing which is the

divers others were in the Typical part of this work and how much more in the Anti-type which doth farr exceed it in spirituality shall the Instruments be so used Psal 2.8 Ask of me and I will give thee c. which must respect Christ as King in his members Heb. 11.30 32 33. Who through faith subdued Kingdomes c. Psal 72.15 and Psal 149.6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouths c. Rev. 6.10 Chap. 8.3.4.5 Secondly by the word of their Testimony which they bear for Christ against Antichrist Rev. 12.11 17. Lastly by Material weapons in a military way Christ being the Captain General and chief leader of this Army Rev. 17. The Lamb shall overcome them and they that are on his side are called chosen and faithful Psal 110.3 In the day of the assembling of thy Army for so some read the words Thy people speaking to Christ shall be willing This Psalm doth in an especial manner relate to the work of the later day Rev. 19.14 The Armies followed Christ which Armies must respect the Saints as being them that are arrayed in fine linnen Vers 8. That the Saints shall be used with material weapons consider First That the War cannot be restrained to that spiritual War mentioned 2 Cor. 10.4 Eph. 6.12 which war required spiritual weapons only but this is an outward visible war as smiting and breaking the visible Image Government taking away the visible Power of the last Beast Dan. 2. and Chapter the 7th and a visible overcoming and breaking the Horns or visible Power of the Ten Kingdoms that received their Power with the Beast which Hornes do begin a visible War with Christ and his Cause as it is owned and carried on by his Saints who are the Members of his Body Rev. 17. Secondly That they shall be used with Material Weapons may appear from Joel 3.10 Beat your Plow-shares into swords and your pruning-hooks into spears let the weak say I am strong In which Scripture I would note three things First That it is a prophecy of the latter day work when Multitudes shall appear in the valley of decision which hath never yet been fulfilled as is most evident if the scope of the Prophesie be consulted Secondly This 10th Verse is spoken to the Saints or people of God the scope of the words leads to the Saints and the 11th verse is a Call to the Heathen for God will gather the Heathen as well as his own people to the valley of decision according to Zeph. 3.8 and this word of encouragement Let the weak say I am strong is not spoken to the enemies of God but is a blessed word for his own people and by it the whole verse appears to be directed to them Lastly the swords and spears are not spiritual but material weapons because they are made of plow-shares and pruning-hooks and are to be used in the Lords great Controversie with the Heathen and the enemies of his Church This Truth may further appear from Psal 149.6 7 8. Let a two-edged sword be in their hands to execute vengeance c. This Psalm must also respect the latter day when the meek shall be beautified with salvation ver 4. and this prophesie hath never been fulfilled since this Psalme was penned but must be fulfilled in the execution of the judgement that is to come upon the World in this latter day This must be a material sword First because the work that the Saints are to do with it is outward visible work viz. to bind Kings and Nobles and to execute the judgment written vers 8.9 2dly This sword is to be in their hands and therefore must be a material sword if it were spiritual it would be in their hearts or in their mouths and included in the joy and praises before spoken of this may further appear from Luke 22.36 He that hath no sword let him sell his garment and buy one That this Sword relates to the latter day must needs be granted because it is spoken in the latter day for the whole day from Christs coming into the flesh to the end of the world is called the latter dayes or time Acts 2.17 Heb. 1.2 1 John 2.18 This latter day or last times must be considered under a two-fold dispensation the one of Suffering the other of Action In the first the Saints must be bound with chains killed and countted as sheep for the slaughter Rom. 8.36 comp Luke 21.12 16. And in the second the Saints shall bind with chaines and take them captives whose captives they were Isa 14.2 comp Psal 149. In the first the Beast or Little Horn shall wear out the Saints In the second the Saints shall take away his Dominion Dan. 7. In the first the Saints must Suffer in Babylon under yokes and bonds and so be hanging down the head In the second Zion or the Saints must deliver her self and put on her Beautifull Garments and lift up her head and loose her self from the bands of her neck or the Government of Antichrist that is upon her and shake her self from the dust In the first Babylon is exercising Cruelty and Tyranny over the Saints and they are patiently to bear it and if they be smitten on the one cheek they must turn the other and if any man will sue them at the Law and take away their coat which must be whilest the wicked Antichristian Law is in force they must let him have their Cloak also But in the Second the Saints must render to Babylon double Compare these following Scriptures Dan. 7.25 with vers 26. Rev. 13.7 with Chap. 17.14 Isa 52.1.2 Zech. 2.7 Luke 21.28 Matth. 5.39.40 Rev. 18.6 This Scripture Luke 22.36 doth clearly hold forth this two-fold dispensation for it cannot be applyed to the day when Christ and his Apostles were upon the Earth which was a day of suffering wherein they were not to resist as Math. 5.39 with many other Scriptures to this purpose both in the Evangelists and the Epistles and Christ tells them at the same time that two swords were enough vers 38. and therefore could not be the time in which he that had no sword must sell his garment and buy one but holds forth another dispensation in which the Saints must be called to Action for Christ in the setting up of his Kingdom and though the words were spoken to the disciples that were then with Christ in the suffering day yet he delivers it to them as they represented the whole body of Gospel Believers that were or should come over to faith in him to the end of the world and so the Ordinances Rules and Work that the Saints were to observe and do till Christs Second coming are delivered unto and received by the disciples that were with him in that day Christ in the opening the extent of his prayer John 17.20 cleares this and also in his general exhortation Math. 13.37 What I say unto you I say unto all c. and so

King of Nations and under him it is given to the Saints who must possess the Kingdome Dan. 7.27.18 and therefore it is no wonder that all this time of the Apostacy the Apostates could make nothing Rise from the Nationall Constitution or if they did could not make it Stand up but it hath been like a man when his life is gone from him and the Day of the Lord according to Isa 2.16 hath been upon all their pleasant Pictures Then come to the VVar with Holland and call over the Records which do abundantly manifest how eminently God Wrought and made his Wonders to be known in the Deeps yea both VVind and Sea obeyed him in that Warr. As to the Eminent Hand of God in the Call of that Little Assembly I shall not speak of it in this place having spoken to it in the First Ground but upon the whole I may conclude this Second Ground with these Scriptures Num. 23.23 According to this time it shall be said of Israel and Jacob what hath God wrought compared with Psal 40.5 Psal 78.4 107.8 111.4 also Psal 75.1 that his name is neere his wonderous works declare And though this Generation as Deut. 4.9 have forgot the things that their eyes have seen yet God in much mercy makes these Wonderfull Works as pretious food to a poor Despised Remnant that are witnesing to and waiting for the Resurrection of the Glorious Cause of Christ. Psal 74.14 111.2 3 4. Compared with v. 5. Psal 46.8 Come behold the works of the Lord c Hos 14.9 who so is wise and he shall understand these things c Isay 51.9 10. Awake Awake O Arme of the Lord as in Ancient dayes art not thou it c. The Third Ground which may further manifest that the Work of this Kingdome hath taken place is from the Cause that was Stated and Layed in the Bottom as the Foundation of the Quarrell upon which the great Works have been wrought and Victories obtained and that hath been the Cause of Jesus Christ in opposition to the Kingdome of Antichrist and as the Day so the Light hath increased First against Popery and Prelacy not only against their wicked practices but against the Foundation of their standing as Antichristian and though there was then but little Light in the visible Kingdome of Christ yet there was so much as the Lord saw needfull for that day Secondly in the beginning of the Wars which outwardly to men appeared to be betwixt the King and Parliament but in the Bottom as those who had the Light of that Day may remember was betwixt Christ and Antichrist and many of the people of God took up Armes in Judgment and Conscience upon the account of Christ and went to the help of the Lord against the mighty although it was but a dark Day and a day of small things But by that time we came to the Warr with Scotland there was a good measure of Kingdome Light given down and sprung up though it was not upon all that were engaged in the War but only some few to whom the Lord was pleased to manifest it and through this Light the Cause came more clearly to be stated in publique view and then the ground upon which the late King and his Monarchy was taken off is publickly asserted by the Army who were the most eminent outward Instruments in the Work to be upon the account of Christ as may appeare by a Letter from the Officers of the Army at their march for Scotland directed to the rest of the Army that remained at their Quarters in England and also by their Declaration when they were come to Muscleborough in Scotland This Cause comes yet more clearly to be Stated and Owned in the Breach of the Old Parliament and is laid in the Bottom by those that were Anointed for and had the Light of that day as the Ground upon which they were Broken and also as a farther manifestation of this the Kingdom of Christ being to take place next to the Image Government and that being broken the Little Assembly was called and the Government delivered to them upon the Avowed Account of the Son of God Also in the Stating and Carrying on the War with Holland the Faith and Prayer for the Successe in that War was by those that had the Light upon the account of the Kingdom of Christ these things are evident and may further appear by a Letter from the Officers at Whitehall to Lt. Gen. Fleetwood and the rest of the Officers in Ireland upon the Breach of the Old Parliament and also by Cromwels Speech to the Little Assembly shewing their Call to be upon the account of Christ and also the proceedings of the Assembly and Council and the Committee of Admiralty in the managing of that War with Holland The Letter to Ireland and the Letter before mentioned to those of the Army that remained in England the Muscleborough Declaration and Cromwels Speech are all Printed together in the Book before-mentioned called The Kingdom of Christ or Fifth Kingdom in opposition to the Kingdom of the Beast and is Sold at the Crown in popes-Popes-Head Ally The Grounds upon which the enlightned Part of the Little Assembly did Act and Own their sitting do also clear the Cause to to be stated for Christ against Antichrist The Fourth Ground to clear this Assertion is from the Anointing a Measure whereof hath been given down in for the accomplishing of the Work by which it hath been done And first that there is an Anointing reserved for and promised to this Work of the Fifth Kingdom yea that the Work is to be done by the Anointing though not without the use of Instruments consider Isa 10.27 which speaking of the Latter day Work and of Zions deliverance saith That the yoke shall be broken off because of the Anointing also Isai 28.6 speaking of this VVork saith The Lord shall be for a Spirit of Judgement to them that sit in Judgement and for strength to them that turn the Battel to the Gate Also Haggai 2.5 My Spirit remaineth among you fear ye not though this word in the Letter may relate to the Building of the Temple yet that VVork being Typical to this Glorious VVork of the Latter day this promise of the Spirit doth most properly respect this Latter day VVork So Zech. 4.6 Not by might nor by Power but by my Spirit c. The word upon the forementioned ground may also be applyed to this VVork of the Fifth Kingdom Isai 59.19.21 when the enemy shall come in like a flood the Spirit of the Lord shall put him to flight c. These and several other Scriptures do clear it that this VVork hath the promise of the Spirit in a special manner belonging to it and now that a measure of this Spirit hath been given down for Light wisdom strength and courage in the Work which hath been done amongst us hath been very evident to and owned by